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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 6:18:43 GMT -5
She let out a shriek of surprise and terror as she felt arms grab at her in the darkness. She twisted and turned her head while lifting up one of the attacker’s arms and bit down as hard as she could. She was rewarded by a cry of pain and she managed to wriggle out of the hold. As soon as she was free she ran towards Asher and shoved her hand in his so that she wouldn’t be apart from him and began to run as he did.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 6:41:17 GMT -5
As he freed himself from the grip of his attacker Amber reached him, the cultist behind her closed in. He wound up and threw his fist hard at the man, connecting with his jaw causing him to recoil away. He gripped Amber's hand and started sprinting through the woods, trying not to go too fast for her. He could hear the group of cultists crashing through the forest after them. The moonlight struck across a fallen log immediately in their path; with a gasp he quickly bounded over it, losing Amber's hand and stumbling a bit as he met the ground. "Look out!"
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 16:30:57 GMT -5
Feeling the cultists were at their heels, Amber did not look back, but ran as quick as she could as to not burden Asher. She saw Asher's quick movement as he hopped over the fallen log and hesitated only a moment after he let go of her hand and gave her the warning, spotting the log a second too late and almost losing her balance. But she managed to stay on her feet when she hopped over the obstacle quickly and found Asher's hand again. She felt better with her hand in his, a small measure of safety in the darkness and reassuring.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 16:41:53 GMT -5
Their pursuers didn't have as much luck traversing the forest. Asher and Amber slowly gained ground as the men became tripped up on obstacle after obstacle, eventually disappearing completely again in the wood. Asher finally stopped running, halting to catch his breath. The pain from his side had completely gone, and he looked down to notice the wound had disappeared. "It isn't far now.." Adrenaline's effect started to wear off and he suddenly felt his eyes grow heavy. "We should find some place to rest.. getting through the pass will be arduous."
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 16:54:29 GMT -5
The dwindling sounds of their attackers grew more and more distant, and her heart leapt once they ceased all together. They had lost them! She breathed in and out deeply to catch her breath, bending a bit with her hands on her thighs, and turned her head flashing Asher a brilliant smile. She straightened as his eyes roamed to his side and her eyes followed. His clothes were still bloodied but his flesh had been renewed. "Ah, you're better. I am glad." She nodded in agreement to Asher's suggestion. She could use sleep herself. The sleep in that cell had been fitful. Ever since their feet had touched the soil on this island, there had been constant danger, denying Amber the sanctuary she had hoped to find. And there was danger still, unceasing, as long as they remained. But this could be only the beginning. If one were to review their journey thus far, they would call it a complete and utter failure. Luck had eluded them, except that somehow Asher had remained alive through all of this. And her father... A pang of hurt bored itself through her chest and she turned her eyes downcast. He was surely lost to her now. She hadn't the courage to save him, her mind rebelled against such a thing due to the instinct to survive. And she wouldn't put Asher through that again, not when he could find his head severed from his body, or worse. How would he heal then? He would be lost and she would be utterly alone in this world. She began to aid the search for a good hiding place, perhaps a cave, or a well shaped gnarled tree to hide them from sight.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 17:06:08 GMT -5
Asher showed concern as her face turned from a smile to a frown. She was no doubt thinking of those she had lost. He only hoped that he would be able to protect her from any further loss and longed to bring her again to a state of happiness as she had been before. After searching through the darkness for some time he happened upon a large rock with a fair sized portion hanging over a small ditch, no doubt used by some animal at some point as a den. It wouldn't shroud them completely from view but it was shelter at least. Not wanting to risk shouting, he stumbled his way towards Amber and placed his hand on her shoulder, "This way.." He led her back to the rock and knelt inside, sitting down in the back against the cold rock. They couldn't risk making a fire, and the night began to grow cold.
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 17:15:15 GMT -5
Her eyes lifted and she saw Asher looking at her with concern, she smiled then but it was bittersweet, her eyes further reflecting the despair in her heart. But she was also reassured by his presence and did her best to shake off those hurtful thoughts. It would not do to dwell in pain for too long. She hoped that her future fate would be more forgiving, and bring the turn of luck that she desperately needed for them both. She heard movement towards her and she stopped, nerves recoiling instinctively. She let out a soft sigh when she saw Asher find her. Obediently she followed. She slid herself into a seated position beside him, and when the air began to turn colder she scooted every so slowly against him for warmth, hoping that he didn’t mind.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 17:30:46 GMT -5
As she edged closer, their skin touched, and he jumped slightly as the coldness of her skin gave way to warmth. Her touch comforted him, and for the first time in a while, he relaxed. His feelings for her had grown, but he wasn't sure how to handle it. It was the first time in his recallable life that he had felt close to someone, and amid all of this chaos too. He had faced down a dozen men today, but she still somehow made him nervous. Working up some courage, he softly placed his arm around her and pulled her tightly towards him. It was too dark to gauge her reaction, he simply closed his eyes and let his head rest against the rock.
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 17:37:47 GMT -5
Amber was glad that he didn’t recoil, didn’t pull away. She was given hope that perhaps she meant more to him than simply a novice shaman. Perhaps it was as close friends. Her stomach leapt a little at his touch and she smiled shyly at him, though perhaps he could not see within the darkness. She let out a soft sigh of contentment and leaned into his hold. Her eyelids grew heavy and she let out another sigh, allowing the sleep she needed to take her. She laid her head against his shoulder and shifted a little to get more comfortable. It was not long before she was out, sleeping as soundly as if between a soft blanket of furs, albeit without warmth but for their bodies where they touched.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 18:01:18 GMT -5
As he felt her lean into him a smile came across his face. He was glad she fell asleep so quickly, at least he could comfort her in some small way. She didn't deserve all that had happened to her, and feeling her now peacefully in sleep eased his heart. It took him a bit longer to fall asleep, the smallest sounds in the wood caused him to perk up and grow anxious. Once it was obvious that they were not followed, he allowed himself to go. - Night passed and the sun's rays just barely began to creep into their burrow. Asher had been sound asleep all night, his body worked so abnormally fast to repair damage that it often made him increasingly fatigued, making him rest longer than normal. In sleep he had turned and wrapped both arms around Amber, pulling her close in a protective embrace. His eyes were clenched, troubled by dreams.
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 18:11:55 GMT -5
She had always been an early riser, part of it due to her rebellious streak at sneaking away from camp when many were still asleep so that she could feel free and do as she wished, a selfish act of a young, unmarried woman born into privilege. Much like the day that Asher had come to find her. She liked the feel of spear in hand and to hunt on her own, much like the male hunters in the tribe. She had often wished that she had been born a son rather than a daughter. Then she would have the right to speak her mind and do what she wished. Oh, the naiveté she once had. Amber opened her eyes and found herself pulled against Asher’s chest. She raised his eyes to his face and found him still asleep. She clapped a hand over her mouth to hide a giggle, momentarily embarrassed. But she lowered her hand and looked up at his face again, looking at peace in sleep. He looked more youthful then, and she began to wonder just how much older he was compared to she. Amber was torn between moving and waking him or staying where she was and letting him sleep. His embrace was most welcome and caused a light blush to rise to her cheeks to have him so close. So she remained as she was, looking out into the new morning.
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Post by Joe on Mar 1, 2012 18:38:54 GMT -5
Her slight stirring caused him to wake, his eyes snapping open. He looked down and noticed what he had subconsciously done. Looking somewhat embarrassed he began to pull away slightly, though in truth feeling her close was something he now longed for. "Uh.. how did you sleep?" Stammering that out was the only other option to break the silence besides walking away.
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Post by Jenny on Mar 1, 2012 18:43:17 GMT -5
The laughter in her eyes and the grin on her face was not mocking. She shifted slightly in response to his movements though in truth she had wished she could stay like that longer. It was a shame he woke up, she thought. She shifted and rose to her feet, careful to duck before stepping forward so that she did not strike her head on the overhanging rock of the small den. “I slept very well,” she replied. “And it looks like you did too.”
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Post by Joe on Mar 2, 2012 4:07:50 GMT -5
He carefully watched her leave the burrow, admiring her for a moment before carefully exiting after her. "Were it not for you, my dreams may have taken that from me.." Asher stayed at her for a long moment, the sun beaming down caused her auburn hair to shine brightly, her beauty mesmerizing him. With a cough, he turned away, straightening his clothes and staring off towards the mountains. He motioned forward, "It's this way, let us stay alert."
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Post by Jenny on Mar 4, 2012 21:36:10 GMT -5
Amber tucked a lock of hair behind her ear absently and smiled softly at him as she turned to look at him as he spoke, unaware that he had been watching her. She started off in the indicated direction. "Yes," she agreed, nodding fervently. "We will see them coming for sure now that it is daytime." Still she was jumpy at first as they walked, and unconsciously gravitated towards Asher's side for comfort. Her eyes darted around as if keeping them wide and unblinking would make things safer. But Amber eventually relaxed as the hours passed and their security seemed certain.
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